Andry Rajoelina to again become Madagascar's president

Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Andry Rajoelina, who has been Madagascar's president once before, won December's presidential runoff, election authorities said Thursday.

Rajoelina last served as president from 2009 to 2014 under military pressure after President Marc Ravolomanana resigned. Rajoelina received nearly 56 percent of the vote compared to Ravolamanana's 44 percent in the presidential runoff last week, the electoral commission announced.

Madagascar's Independent National Election Commission announced the results at a news conference Thursday.

Former prime ministers, a pastor and a rock star also ran for president in the November election, but former presidents Ravaolmanana and Rajoelina emerged as front-runners, leading to the runoff.

Voter turnout was about 48 percent in the Dec. 19 runoff.

The High Constitutional Court needs to confirm the results within nine days.